Geordan Murphy's late drop-goal gives Leicester victory over Saracens

Geordan Murphy slots over the winning drop-goal for Leicester in their Aviva Premiership match against Saracens. Photograph: Henry Browne/Action Images

This was meant to be the day England's prayers were answered with match-winning performances from Manu Tuilagi and Toby Flood. Life, and rugby, is not quite that simple and it was Leicester's Irish captain Geordan Murphy who ended Saracens 16-month unbeaten home record, thanks to a last-gasp drop-goal from 15 metres out which barely scraped over the crossbar. Such are the hairline margins in the extraordinarily tight world of the Aviva Premiership where nothing is ever entirely cut and dried.

Tuilagi and Flood, nevertheless, did enough to enhance their Test prospects, having shared in one of the more remarkable acts of escapology of this Aviva Premiership season. Whether or not they make England's starting XV against Wales at Twickenham this weekend remains uncertain but Tuilagi, in particular, played an influential role in a gripping contest that saw Saracens beaten for the first time in 11 matches in all competitions. It was also Leicester's first win of any description over Sarries in five attempts, a statistic of more relevance to their director of rugby, Richard Cockerill, than England's midfield options.

"I think that's a turning point," said Cockerill, mightily relieved his side are back in the top four having been briefly usurped by Exeter.

On this occasion the Tigers went through a mere 26 phases before Murphy applied the coup de grace, as opposed to the 32 fruitless phases they endured in last season's grand final against the same opponents. Saracens, still in second place, will consider themselves hard done by because they had the game by the throat. Entering the final minute of normal time Leicester were penned deep in their 22, throwing Hail Mary passes and not looking in any great danger of escaping their own half. One tiny fumble and it would have been all over. Instead the ball found its way to the lurking Tuilagi on the left and the tree-trunk thighs worked their muscular magic.

Away he surged and a chip ahead forced the excellent Alex Goode to hack the ball into touch and permit Leicester one final line-out, 30 metres from the try-line. Ed Slater collected it and the Tigers began their slow, inch-by-inch advance. When they did finally work Flood into possible drop-goal territory the pressure from the defensive line was so great the fly-half had to pull out, take the contact and recycle the ball once more. Would he have slotted it second time around? No one will know. Murphy took responsibility and, to his team-mates' delight, completed the mugging a split-second before tumbling backwards to the ground.

The mixed feelings of the watching England coach Andy Farrell can be easily imagined. With his Saracens' hat on he would find it hard to recommend the break-up of England's current midfield triangle featuring Charlie Hodgson, Brad Barritt and his son Owen. On the other hand Tuilagi offers the sort of line-breaking presence which England will surely need if they wish to beat Wales this Saturday and the national coach Stuart Lancaster may just be swayed by the big man's crucial contribution in the closing stages.

Cockerill suspects both Flood and Tuilagi will feature in the matchday 22 but, in common with everyone else, does not know for sure. "That may put them into contention next week but it's in someone else's hands," said the former England hooker. "It's going to be hard for Manu to force his way into that midfield but it's a good conundrum for the selectors."

In terms of the bigger picture, though, Leicester will derive more satisfaction from this outcome than anyone else. The reverse fixture at Welford Road in September resulted in a heavy 50-25 beating for the Tigers and last week's defeat at Exeter also stung them. Had they lost again, to opponents fielding only a couple of first-choice forwards, it would have been another grievous blow.

After Goode had nailed his fourth penalty to reclaim the lead first established by Neil de Kock's 29th-minute try, it seemed a bright, sunny afternoon would indeed belong to Sarries, even after Slater's 65th-minute try hauled his side back in front. Flood's conversion flew wide but, fortunately for him and Leicester, Murphy's law ultimately applied.